Clements’ 5A soccer title extra sweet for Rivenes, teammates

Bradley Rivenes and his Clements teammates wanted nothing more than to finish off their season with a championship. They got the program back to state’s biggest stage after enduring early playoff losses the last three seasons.

But the sophomore’s mind was on more than Saturday’s Class 5A final against defending champion Coppell, a game in which the Rangers pulled away in the second half for a 3-0 win at Georgetown’s Birkelbach Field.

Rivenes’ thoughts were on his mother, Shannon, who has a rare form of liver cancer that was discovered 18 months ago. She’s gone through treatment multiple times and most recently underwent surgery Tuesday when the cancer resurfaced.

Rivenes watched Clements claim the regional crown last weekend but remained in the hospital following surgery and in turn, missed the state tournament. She was able to watch a live webcast of the games.

“Before the game, I’m honestly thinking about her all the time,” Rivenes said. “Every time I was off the field, I was thinking about her.”

A banner with the words, “We play for Mrs. Rivenes” was on display behind the Clements bench in Thursday’s win over Brownsville Lopez in the semifinals. In addition, the Rangers (23-2-3) wore pink athletic tape around their wrists during the weekend in her honor.

“That meant the world to me,” Rivenes said. “I wouldn’t be able to do this without them.”

Added senior Santiago Padruno, the game’s most valuable player: “She’s an amazing person and the biggest supporter of this team. Finding out that news after the regional final, we had to do it for Brad. We didn’t want him to get distracted so we told him, ‘Hey, this is for your mom.'”

Rivenes, a defender, and keeper Daniel Namani led a backline that held off one Coppell surge after another. The Cowboys (22-2-2) averaged 3.4 goals per game this season, but couldn’t score despite nine corner kicks and six shots on goal.

“I’ve got to give credit to Clements – they were unbelievable,” Coppell coach Chad Rakestraw said. “I think they played about as perfect a game as you can. They got on us early and they played stellar defense.”

Padruno gave the Rangers a lead in the 20th minute, redirecting a Kevin Matthews throw in near the box. Alejandro Saez and Trinidad Luna added goals in the second half.

The win marks Houston’s first UIL soccer championship since The Woodlands girls in 2010. Houston-area teams had lost four straight times in title games until Clements prevailed.

It’s also redemption for the Rangers, who lost in the second round of the playoffs in 2011 and the third round the next two years. Their only other state appearance (2006) ended in the semifinals.

“I’ve overwhelmed for my guys and the work they put in,” Clements coach Todd Ericson said. “Not just these guys. This is for my entire soccer program over the last 25 years that I’ve coached there.”

And the celebration was that much sweeter for Rivenes, whose mom is due out of the hospital Sunday.

“It wasn’t the same knowing my mom couldn’t be here,” he said. “But we still won for her.”